World of Learning Conference & Exhibition 2010 preview

The World of Learning Conference & Exhibition 2010, the learning and development (L&D) industry's essential event, is designed to enhance the skills of the many thousands of L&D professionals who will be visiting the NEC in Birmingham on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 September 2010.

Now in its 18th year, World of Learning will equip visitors with the skills and knowledge to deal with the challenges of today's business environment. The event incorporates a comprehensive exhibition, which is free to attend, and thought-leading conference, which has a long history of being the most worthwhile event on the L&D calendar. The event in its entirety is essential for all senior learning decision-makers and buyers as it encompasses the very latest innovations and solutions to suit organisations' business needs.

"The L&D market is one that is constantly evolving as its practitioners adapt to the dynamic economic climate, management pressures, budgetary concerns, new and developing technologies and each organisation's specific learning needs," says Andrew Gee, senior project manager at World of Learning.

"We have combined our high-quality conference and valuable educational features with a wide range of exhibitors in order to ensure that the World of Learning remains the most time and cost-effective method of keeping up to date with the market and sourcing new suppliers."

Renowned conference with industry figureheads, case studies and invaluable insight

The World of Learning Conference is renowned for providing a cost and time-efficient opportunity for delegates to learn from experts, peers and case studies. It spans two full days and provides invaluable insight on the current issues of most concern to the industry.

Chaired by BBC news broadcaster and presenter Nicholas Owen, the conference programme showcases experts sharing their own experiences, advice and case studies. There will be speakers from high profile organisations such as the Priory Group, TUI Travel UK & Ireland, the BBC, Radisson Edwardian Hotels, HSBC, Zurich and National Grid.

Experts featuring throughout the extensive programme include keynote speakers Ruth Spellman OBE, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, Jayne Stokes, head of learning at Santander, and Mike Booth, learning technologies manager at Cable & Wireless Worldwide. Topics will include: developing line managers as facilitators of L&D; ensuring L&D remains a priority through proving the business case; and facilitating and dealing with change through learning.

The World of Learning 2010 conference programme comprises a series of interactive panel discussions, participative workshops and individual presentations, with each session featuring experts from the respective fields. The full programme is available on the World of Learning website.

Opening address: "A new world for business?" - Ruth Spellman OBE

Ruth Spellman OBE, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, will assess the impact of new business conditions on L&D professionals and provide guidance on the most realistic and effective ways to react to these.

Within her keynote address, Ruth will delve into key L&D issues and clarify the ways in which industry members can be at the forefront of new practices in the light of an evolving business environment. Her presentation will explore the implications and challenges placed on L&D, the effect of increasing recruitment on the talent pool and how L&D can combat the resulting widening skills gap from decreased investment in training.

Delegate benefits

Delegates will not only benefit from the knowledge and advice they'll receive from attending the conference, but will also receive a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificate of Attendance, free access to LM Matters' 50 Lessons and Harvard ManageMentor and the facility to ask the speakers to address specific learning issues. Those who book and attend the two-day conference will also receive a free Toshiba HD camcorder. Full details on delegate benefits, including terms and conditions, are available on the World of Learning website.

A wide range of experts and suppliers at the World of Learning Exhibition 2010

More than 100 UK and international L&D suppliers, experts and advisers will be on-hand at the World of Learning Exhibition. Companies include Atlantic Link, Buffin Leadership International, iManage Performance, Priority Management, Roffey Park, Thales Training & Consultancy and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), all of whom will provide solutions to the many and varied L&D needs of organisations today.

Louise Burgess, an L&D consultant who visited the World of Learning exhibition last year, commented on her visit: "It was my first visit to an L&D event and I've found it very valuable and interesting. I've got a lot of new ideas." Along with the thousands of other visitors to the 2009 event, Louise met many solutions providers and experts face-to-face, as well as taking advantage of the additional features offered throughout the show.

Innovative initiatives

The World of Learning includes more than just a showcase of exhibitor services to help L&D professionals. This year there will be a host of free initiatives held throughout the exhibition, including new specialised zones developed in line with industry trends and developments, alongside those resources that have proved in previous years to be valuable to visitors.

New features for 2010 include:

• Professional Development Zone: This specialised area will provide an invaluable opportunity for L&D professionals to consult experts and advisers on all aspects of their own career development. Industry members will be able to gain one-to-one personalised advice on working in the sector.
• International Zone: This feature is facilitated by UKTI to introduce international buyers and decision-makers to leading suppliers of L&D products and services. International visitors will be able to take advantage of meeting providers to discuss business opportunities, skills, strategies and regional developments.
• Social Learning Zone: As social media continue to grow in popularity and use, they are also increasingly being utilised for learning applications. The Social Learning Zone has been developed to demonstrate the huge potential social media has to enhance learning activities and knowledge-sharing. Facilitated by Fusion International, visitors to the zone will be able to learn the value of social media networks and harness all the opportunities for learning that come with them.
• Workplace Wellness Zone: Facilitated by The Learning Architect, this specialised zone concentrates on how to cultivate a working environment that promotes mental and physical wellbeing.

  World of Learning Conference and Exhibition 2010

  Hall 18, NEC, Birmingham 10:00-17:00 Tuesday 28 September 10:00-16:00 Wednesday 29 September Website

Returning features include:

• Skills Workshops: Led by experts and advisers, these small group workshops give L&D professionals a chance to polish their own skills that are key to running a successful L&D function. Areas covered include how to put learning on the agenda, develop internal coaching skills and make a case for informal learning.
• Experiential Learning Zone: This creative learning area is organised by Pearlcatchers and allows visitors to get hands-on experience of new, innovative and even quirky learning techniques about creativity, communication and leadership.
• The interactive zone also includes a free "Chill and Chat Zone" where one-to-one consultations on any area from personal development to leadership and organisational change will be available to visitors.
• The Trainer Base: Facilitated by the Learning Practitioners Association, this is the place to source the freelance trainer most suited to an organisation and its L&D objectives.
• Product demonstrations: Held throughout the exhibition, new products will be tried and tested in front of visiting L&D professionals.
• Business & Networking Lounge: In this dedicated lounge, visitors will be able to keep in touch with the office, meet new contacts, network with peers or relax with colleagues.

An impressive free seminar programme

In addition to the visitor features, the World of Learning will also host a full programme of free seminars, running across two theatres throughout the event. Sessions include:

• "What do your managers find challenging and how can you best support them?", presented by Peter Casebow, chief executive at GoodPractice.
• "Beyond performance coaching: putting integrative coaching at the heart of a workplace", presented by Nick Bolton, Founder and Director of The Smart School of Learning.
• "Using e-learning to boost training efficiency", presented by Mike Alcock, Vice President - Product Evangelist at Kaplan IT Learning.
• "An organisation full of trainers? Utilising internal resources to deliver in-house training", presented by David Minchin, Director - The Coach & Trainer School at The School of Coaching & Leadership Development.

How can I book my spot at the World of Learning 2010?

To register for free entry to the World of Learning Exhibition, or to book your place at the World of Learning Conference, visit the show website or call +44 (0)20 8394 5171.